CPB's Patricia Harrison named to America250 Arts & Culture Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 25, 2022) – Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), has been named to the Arts & Culture Council of America250, which was established by Congress to inspire Americans to participate in the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.

The appointment was made by the America250 Foundation and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which represent a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that recognize the United States’ first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250. The Arts & Culture Council is one of 12 councils created across a variety of industries and specialties to increase inclusiveness and facilitate program development, implementation, and social impact.

"I look forward to serving on the Council affirming the critical role of arts and culture shaping the American experience,” Harrison said. “Public media connected to communities throughout the country can affirm the 250th anniversary commemoration through our content and engagement, strengthening our diverse civil society and inspiring citizen participation in our democracy."

Prior to serving as president and chief executive officer of the CPB, Harrison served as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. She received the U.S. Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award for her leadership in creating “Partnerships for Learning,” a global initiative providing young people with education and career opportunity, and CultureConnect, a program utilizing American leaders from business, government, sports, and the arts to provide mentoring and master classes for young people worldwide.

The current roster of America250 Advisory Councils includes more than 100 leading experts and professionals from across the United States who will assist America250 with its planning and preparations. The Arts & Culture Committee is chaired by Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO, Marcus Performing Arts Center, and Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO, Ballet Hispanico. Other members include director and actor Debbie Allen and leaders of numerous arts and cultural organizations including Alexander Gibson, executive director of Appalshop, the Appalachian media, arts and education center that includes the CPB-funded WMMT Mountain Community Radio.

About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television, and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for other updates.

About America250
America250 is a multiyear effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. The purpose of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and the corresponding America250 Foundation, is to catalyze a more perfect union by designing and leading the most comprehensive and inclusive celebration in our country’s history. America250 represents a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that honor our first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250. The commemoration period began in 2020, culminates on July 4, 2026, and officially concludes in 2027. For more information, visit www.america250.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram and TikTok.